duty . 1 at ##f was again reduced to just two infantry battalions , albeit with significant armour , artillery and aviation support remaining . australian combat forces were further reduced during 1971 as part of a phased withdrawal , and 1 at ##f ceased operations in october . meanwhile , the advisors remained to train south vietnamese troops until withdrawn on 18 december 1972 by the newly elected labor government of gough w ##hit ##lam . the last australian forces were finally withdrawn in 1973 . the vietnam war was australia ' s longest and most controversial war and although initially enjoying broad support , as the nation ' s military involvement increased a vocal anti @ - @ war movement developed . more than 50 @
duty. 1 atf was again reduced to just two infantry battalions, albeit with significant armour, artillery and aviation support remaining. australian combat forces were further reduced during 1971 as part of a phased withdrawal, and 1 atf ceased operations in october. meanwhile, the advisors remained to train south vietnamese troops until withdrawn on 18 december 1972 by the newly elected labor government of gough whitlam. the last australian forces were finally withdrawn in 1973. the vietnam war was australia's longest and most controversial war and although initially enjoying broad support, as the nation's military involvement increased a vocal anti @ - @ war movement developed. more than 50 @